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Aug 20, 2012

Blog Tour: Author Guest Post and Book Excerpt: Shades of the Future by Suzanne Lilly Plus a Giveaway!

Hi sweets! Welcome to Shades of the Future by Suzanne Lilly Blog tour stop here on Journey with Books! Today, we'll all get a glimpse of Shades of the Future. Ms. Suzanne Lilly is also going to discuss her thoughts about the Worries of a First Time Author. Plus there's a giveaway! I know all of you would love to get a chance to win this!

Suzanne will be awarding pair of designer sunglasses to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

(US/Canada only)

Scroll down for more details and to just join in our lovely discussion!

Author Guest Post:

First of all, I’d like to say thank you for hosting me on your blog on August 20. I appreciate the opportunity.

Worries of a First Time Author

Writing a book is simple, right? You learn about writing fiction, you apply the concepts of characterization, plot, subplot, tension, and resolution, and develop it into a novel. Of course it takes practice to perfect, and time to write, but is it really that hard?Then, after you’ve written the book, you just send it out to publishers or self-publish. Readers will read it and give you rave reviews, or publishers will get into a bidding war over it. It’s so simple.Except that it’s not.Writers pour their hearts and emotions into their novels, and when it comes time to present it to the world, it’s like revealing your deepest cares to everyone. What if people don’t like it? What if no one reads it?Those are the fears many writers encounter, and that’s why it’s so important to develop a thick skin and simply keep on writing. This is easier said than done, because it’s hard not to take a bad review personally.One thing to remember is that not everyone likes the same thing. For example, some people want a story to begin with action, others want a story that develops slowly with a plenty of detail and world building. Some people like broccoli and other people don’t. There’s no need to take it personally when people have differing tastes in food, and there’s also no reason to take it personally if someone doesn’t appreciate your writing style.Which leads me to the second worry, what if no one reads it? If you write the best book you can write, have it professionally edited, and find your niche, you’ll more than likely find readers. People that enjoy your writing will talk about it, and word of mouth will lead more readers to your books. Meanwhile, get started on your next book, so as not to disappoint your readers and fans.Listen to your readers, and respect them by giving them outstanding stories, ones that will keep them wanting to come back for more. Just write and write well. Give your readers the best book you can, and they’ll get the word out for you.

What are you planning to write next?

Shades of the Future is now available in print and digital formats. When Mariah Davis finds a pair of sunglasses that allow her to see the future, what will she do? Can she change her future to make it better? Mariah discovers that seeing into the future might not always be a good thing.

BLURB:

What would you do if you could see your future? Would you accept it or would you change it?

Mariah Davis loves animals, running, and her hunk of a boyfriend, Kevin Creamer. Everything looks bright for her until the day she finds a pair of sunglasses that allow her to see the future.

When she glimpses a disaster looming, she tries to avoid it but fails. She has a car accident that lands her in a wheelchair, smashing her hopes for a running scholarship to the veterinary program at Ohio State University. She pushes Kevin away, thinking he’ll want to end their relationship now that she can’t walk.

Will she ever learn to trust and love again? She could search for an answer in the sunglasses. But she’s afraid what they reveal might destroy her.

Aspen Marie Dwyer has a secret to keep and she picks Honey Creek, Ohio as the perfect place to hide. Arriving on a Greyhound bus with nothing but a duffel bag containing her clothes and personal belongings, she walks to the Honey Creek Lake Lodge, to begin her summer job as a lifeguard. Four years earlier, Aspen witnessed her father murder her mother, and her testimony locked him away in prison. Before being taken out of the courtroom in shackles, he swore someday he would find her and kill her, too.

Local volunteer firefighter Colton Moraine is always up for a challenge and Aspen is just what he needs to liven up his small town summer. Through driving lessons, picnics, and romantic kisses under the fireworks, the two fall in love. Aspen fatalistically knows their summer romance will end if Colton finds out her history. But not telling him tortures her, making her feel like a fraud. When her father is granted parole, she can no longer keep her dark secret. She has to make a life changing decision. Will she continue to run and hide, or fight for the love she’s discovered with Colton in Honey Creek?

Book Excerpt: (Shades of the Future)

“You see things?” Eulalie put the remains of her cookie on her saucer and leaned her elbows on the table. She laced her fingers together and rested her chin on her folded hands. “What kinds of things?”

“I don’t want you to think I’m crazy, but I see things that haven’t happened yet,” Mariah blurted out. She went on to tell her about the trig test that day, Hayley’s color-changing outfit, and the hamburger.

“Well, now, that doesn’t seem too bad.” Eulalie stirred her tea even though she hadn’t put any sugar in it. She took a sip.

“So you don’t think it’s strange?” Mariah asked.

Eulalie put her cup down. She shook her head. “I didn’t say that. Have you seen anything else? Anything that might involve other people? Something that might be a burden to you?”

Mariah shook her head no.

“That’s a good thing.” The words meant one thing, but the way Eulalie cleared her throat and looked away made Mariah think that it wasn’t what she truly thought. “If I were you, I’d be careful with them.”

“What do you mean?”

“When you start messing around with fortune telling and seeing the future, sooner or later you might see things you don’t want to know about.”

Author Bio and Links:

Suzanne Lilly writes lighthearted young adult stories with a splash of suspense, a flash of the unexplained, a dash of romance, and always a happy ending. Her short stories have appeared in numerous places online and in print, and she has placed and received honorable mentions in writing contests.

Her debut novel is Shades of the Future, (July 2012, Turquoise Morning Press) followed by Untellable, (February 2013.) She lives in Northern California where she reads, writes, cooks, swims, and teaches elementary students.

Great post! I think every writer needs to remember that every reader is unique. We all have different tastes. It's hard not to take reviews personally because you put your heart and soul into your work, but I've read a lot of books and I don't always like what I read either. So it happens. It's life. As long as you're proud of what you've written, that's the most important thing.

I always worry that the characters won't develop at the right pace or be likable. Really that is with any book not just new authors. I love giving new authors a try. Sometimes I love one book series by an author but not another.

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About Me

Hi! Welcome to Journey with Books. I'm Lady Krishna from the Philippines. This blog was made from the passionate heart of a book lover. I've always loved books and has been passionate in reading so I made this blog to connect with other readers and of course, with the authors. If you want to contact me to review your books or simply fangirl about books (which I loved to do) just messaged me through Facebook or follow me on my personal twitter @iamladykrishna.